3 Yonkers mayoral candidates face off in debate

The three candidates for Yonkers mayor faced each other last night in a debate held by News 12 Westchester.

The three candidates participating in the debate were Democratic candidate Mike Spano, Republican candidate John Murtagh, and Independent candidate Carlo Calvi.

The city's political establishment was buzzing today after comments made by Murtagh in which he said Spano needed to "come clean" about his connection to the Ridge Hill development bribery scandal, in which there has already been one conviction while two other suspects are set to go on trial.

"Mr. Spano had on his payroll, and his brother's payroll, two of the three people who have either been convicted or indicted in the Ridge Hill scandal," Murtagh said.

Murtagh claims Spano introduced Zehy Jereis to Ridge Hills developer Forest City Ratner. Jeries, who has past election fraud and drug convictions, was a longtime advisor to Nick Spano, the brother of Mike Spano and a former state senator.

Federal prosecutors accused Jereis of bribing Yonkers City Councilwoman Sandy Annabi to vote in favor of the Ridge Hill development. The Spanos' former attorney, Anthony Mangone, has already pleaded guilty in the corruption case.

Mike Spano's campaign released a statement saying, "This is more of the same from Councilman Murtagh. His recent attacks are false and distortive and a sign of true desperation. It's time to move Yonkers in a new direction and concentrate on controlling taxes, improving schools and stopping runaway borrowing." New court date set for ex-Yonkers Councilwoman Annabi Ex-councilwoman accused of taking bribes faces judgeNew evidence turned over by Annabi in federal bribery case3 face off in debate for Yonkers mayorWatch the entire debate